There is currently much discussion about recommendations for Vitamin D for all groups including the breastfed infant. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has this to say about it: while breastfeeding is the recommended method of infant feeding and provides infants with necessary nutrients and immune factors, breast milk alone does not provide infants with an adequate intake of vitamin D. Most breastfed infants are able to synthesize additional vitamin D through routine sunlight exposure. However, published reports of cases of vitamin D deficiency rickets among breastfed infants in the United States caused researchers to take another look at whether all breastfed infants were getting adequate vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiency rickets among breastfed infants is rare, but it can occur if an infant does not receive additional vitamin D from a vitamin supplement or from adequate exposure to sunlight. A number of factors decrease the amount of vitamin D a person will synthesize from sunlight.
These factors include:
• Living at high latitudes (closer to the polar regions), particularly during winter months
• Air quality conditions: high levels of air pollution
• Weather conditions: dense cloud covering
• The degree to which clothing covers the skin
• Use of sunscreen
• Skin pigmentation: darker skin types
Read more at http://www.cdc.gov/
Also, talk to your Health Care Provider.
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Low milk supply is a concern for some breastfeeding mothers. The best way to address the issue is to discover the cause. A frequent cause of low milk supply is ineffective draining of the breast. In general, milk supply works on a demand and supply method. The more that is removed, the more the body will make. Therefore it is important to evaluate infant latch since that is strongly linked to infant’s ability to drain the breast. In addition, there are other physical methods for increasing milk supply including increasing the frequency of feedings, addition of hand or electric pumping after breastfeeding and skin to skin holding.
The following are great online resources:
http://newborns.stanford.edu/
http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?
If you need additional help, please call SMH Lactation Warm Line at 917-7413.
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Obesity is a national epidemic in the United States
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Obesity is a national epidemic in the United States, and children are not exempt. Currently, 21% of children aged 2–5 years are at least overweight, and half of those children are obese. Obese children and adolescents are more likely to have elevated cholesterol and blood pressure levels, breathing and joint problems, and to become obese adults. Substantial epidemiologic evidence now establishes breastfeeding as an important public health strategy for preventing childhood obesity.
Click on the link below for more information.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/
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11
Lactation counseling and equipment coverage recommended by IOM.
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The Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a new report today recommending eight preventive health services for women. These services will be added to the services that health plans will cover at no cost to patients under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA). At the request of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the IOM’s Preventive Services for Women Committee identified critical gaps in preventive services for women as well as measures that will further ensure women’s health and well-being. HHS is expected to respond to these recommendation by the end of August. The proposed recommendations contribute significantly to state efforts to improve women’s health overall, and support efforts to promote preconception and inter-conception care for women of child bearing age.
The IOM recommends that HHS require health insurance plans cover the following preventive services for women with no cost sharing:
• Screening for gestational diabetes
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as part of cervical cancer screening for women over 30
• Counseling on sexually transmitted infections
• Counseling and screening for HIV
• Contraceptive methods and counseling to prevent unintended pregnancies
• Lactation counseling and equipment to promote breast-feeding
• Screening and counseling to detect and prevent interpersonal and domestic violence
• Yearly well-woman preventive care visits to obtain recommended preventive services
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Most women have heard that breastfeeding gives babies a healthy start in life. Did you know that breastfeeding provides nutritional and health advantages that include reduced risk of ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, obesity, diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)? It has also been shown to be vital for women’s health by lowering the mother’s risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and diabetes.
Nearly all medical and professional organizations worldwide emphasize the importance of breastfeeding and the role of support for new mothers. Research has made it clear that breastfeeding is vital for infant growth and development, and has a profound impact on both infant and maternal health.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, positive breastfeeding support from physicians, nurses, and other health professionals has been shown to increase the initiation and duration of breastfeeding. Over 90% of the Mother Baby Unit nursing staff at SMHCS have advanced certification training in breastfeeding. This advanced certification adds a dimension to the bedside nursing role that encompasses the nurse as a breastfeeding counselor and an educator in lactation management. The training speaks to the staff commitment to providing the very best care for patients.
In addition, all women who deliver their babies at SMHCS are offered a complimentary home visit through the Nurses for New Moms Program. These nurses, while providing care for the mother and baby, also have advanced certification training in lactation and therefore can provide that added support for mom at home.
SMHCS works hard to support best practices in infant feeding and nutrition, which not only assists mothers in reaching their chosen breastfeeding goals, but through support of breastfeeding, works to improve nutritional and health outcomes for both mom and baby.
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Come meet your friendly SMH bloggers at the Infant to Kindergarten Family Fair on August 6th, 2011, 10 am – 2pm at Westfield Sarasota Square Located at US 41 & Beneva Road. Entrance between JCPenney & Yoder’s Marketplace.
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Here’s a great class offered in our community!! SRQ Child’Space. Child’Space teaches parents how to touch, move & play with their babies for healthy development in the first year of life. Classes also available in Spanish. First class is FREE! For more information call (941) 362-0944 or check out the website: www.SRQchildspace.com
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The birth of your child is very exciting and can also be somewhat overwhelming for both first-time moms and experienced moms. To make the transition easier from hospital to home, Sarasota Memorial offers this program, totally FREE, to all mothers who deliver their newborns at SMH.
A registered nurse, who is also an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) will come to your home, at your request, a few days after your delivery and provide a wellness visit for both you and your baby. Our visit offers these helpful benefits:
• Helps settle mother and baby at home
• Checks to ensure mom is feeling well
• Checks that baby is well and gaining weight
• Nursery is prepared
• Answers questions, provides reassurance
• Provides helpful resources and contacts
• Provides breastfeeding assistance
• Offers peace of mind to new parents
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This course should be considered a must for all parents and caregivers.
- Fee: $30 for an individual or $50 per couple
- Choking and injury prevention will also be covered in this class
- Instructors are certified by the American Heart Association
Classes are held twice a month in the Waldemere plaza at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Sign up on-line today! Go to smh.com for details.
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Or just want to meet other moms with children of the same age?
Please come and join us at our
MOTHERS and BABIES Get-Together
No registration necessary and it’s FREE!
We meet every Wednesday on the 2nd floor of the Waldemere Medical Plaza
11:00 – Noon (Moms with babies from 6 weeks to 6 months)
12:30 – 1:30 (Moms with babies from 6 months to 1 year)
Led by Charlene Chirillo RN, Childbirth Educator at Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Charlene has frequent guest speakers including:
• Baby Dental care by local dentists
• Music & Babies
• Local Veterinarians talking about pets and children
• “Born to Read” program from local libraries
• Pediatric nurses discussing illness and accidents
• Lifeguards on water safety
For further information, please call 917-1700
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